AWC Governing Board adopts new budget with no increase to property tax levy
June 11, 2024Yuma, AZ (June 11, 2024) – The Arizona Western College District Governing Board approved its 2024-2025 Budget on Tuesday, June 11, with no increase to the property tax levy, an AA- bond rating, and a 4% salary increase for all full-time employees.
AWC has demonstrated strong fiscal stewardship to the communities it serves while facing rising operational and instructional costs in a high inflationary environment, new facilities costs, industry demands for new programming, declining state funding, rising energy costs, and aging facilities.
Despite those challenges, AWC is No. 1 in Arizona for enrollment growth, defying enrollment trends across the state as the fastest-growing community college, and has significantly expanded its Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Entrepreneurial College programs. The college has also seen a remarkable 31% growth in Early College programs offering high school students the ability to take college courses. This is a staggering increase of over 1000% since the adoption of the early-college tuition rate of $25 per credit hour in 2017.
AWC’s $140 million budget reflects an overall increase of 3.9% or $1.2 million. The budget contains a 4% increase in salaries for all full-time employees and a .02% decrease in the contribution rate for A.S.R.S.
Capital projects were addressed in the budget to continue to provide the college district with environmentally safe facilities and enhanced processes through software purchases. The budget also includes contingencies for anticipated needs and a $250,000 increase in scholarships, all with no increase in property taxes for local taxpayers.
“I am extraordinarily proud of the budget that Arizona Western College’s District Governing Board unanimously approved today. The college has once again responded to the expectation that we serve as a strong fiscal steward of the public’s money while making sure we are allocating the resources needed to provide an amazing student experience,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr.
Additional information about the college’s adopted budget is available online here. The 2024-2025 fiscal year will begin on July 1, 2024.
Contact:
Mandy Heil
Associate Dean of Marketing & Communications
Arizona Western College
Mandy.Heil@azwestern.edu
928-314-9594